Shannon Leontiades

F-1 International Student Advisor (DSO)

Shannon joined UFIC in 2026 as an F-1 International Student Advisor and has been working in the field of education for over twenty years. After graduating with her B.A. in Social Sciences from New College of Florida, she first started serving international students and employees as a Senior Immigration Advisor in the Office of International Services at Vanderbilt University in her hometown of Nashville, TN.  

While tutoring adult English language learners outside of work, Shannon developed a passion for teaching and moved to New York City to pursue a Master of Arts in the Teaching of Social Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. Eager to leave the long winters of NYC, she moved back to Florida to teach middle and high school social studies and geography classes at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School of the University of Florida, where she also sponsored several student clubs. Shannon eventually transitioned to teaching adult English language learners and most recently worked in administration in the Adult Education ESOL program at Sante Fe College.  

Shannon brings to UFIC a breadth of experience working with diverse populations, a passion for international education, and ongoing advocacy for nonimmigrants and refugees in the local community. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling abroad, tutoring ESOL, reading historical fiction, taking long walks, attending Pilates classes, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and dog named Millie.